Indoor GWA Wingfoil World Cup in Düsseldorf Crowns Sosa and Suardiaz

Ancor Sosa and Nia Suardiaz topped tight, high-speed finals at the GWA Wingfoil World Cup indoor stop inside BOOT Düsseldorf, delivering a compact display of foil racing that kept Hall 17 buzzing. The event used a time-trial slalom run in an XXL pool where riders were accelerated by overhead launch systems and large fans, producing fast, spectator-friendly heats and close finishes.

The men’s podium finished with Ancor Sosa (ESP) first, Balz Müller (SUI) second, and Franz Schlittenbauer (GER) third. In the women’s fleet Nia Suardiaz (ESP) took the win, followed by Manon Dupé (FRA) in second and Viola Lippitsch (AUT) in third. The three-day indoor format ran during BOOT Düsseldorf from 16 to 18 January 2026 and presented wingfoil in a condensed, show-style setting that emphasized speed, manoeuvrability, and crowd engagement.

Organizers set up a short slalom course designed for foil rigs and wing handling at close quarters. Overhead assistance and steady fan-generated wind removed the variables of open-water contesting, creating repeatable runs and head-to-head matchups that translated well to live viewing. For riders, the format offered a chance to push top-end speed and acceleration in a controlled environment; for spectators, it meant front-row access to foiling action without weather concerns.

The indoor stop also underscored practical benefits for the community. Manufacturers and shapers gained a stage to showcase gear in traffic-friendly conditions, coaches could isolate starts and course tactics in repeated runs, and newer fans got an accessible introduction to wingfoil dynamics thanks to the pool setting. The event’s success in drawing large crowds inside Hall 17 suggests that indoor showcases can accelerate mainstream visibility for foiling disciplines and complement the outdoor tour calendar.

While the indoor format does not replace open-water sails, it creates a weather-proof alternative for off-season engagement and sponsor exposure. Tight time-trial formats reward clean starts, efficient wings-to-foil transitions, and refined course strategy, skills that translate directly back to beach contests. Expect promoters and the tour to consider similar exhibition-style events as a tool for growing audience reach and giving riders additional competitive platforms.

For the community, the Düsseldorf results set an early-season tone: technical speed and clean racecraft won the day, and indoor formats proved they can entertain and educate at the same time. Look for more mixed-format events that bridge show-floor spectacle and true foiling performance as the season unfolds.